She Can't Be This Cute!

I have to admit, these past few days had truly been the most comfortable time Greg had experienced since arriving on the surface.

Although minor incidents occasionally cropped up, they weren't particularly serious. For Greg, who had reached LV31 after defeating the Silent Penitent and possessed various life-saving methods, as long as he remained cautious, the events that would have originally killed Greg Sass no longer posed much of a threat.

Additionally, it was worth mentioning that Greg had seen Vivian in the Student Council office on Monday.

However, her attitude was no different than before.

Her ice-blue eyes calmly swept over the bandages and faint scratches on his body, and she only asked one thing: "Will the injuries on your body affect your daily duties as a Disciplinary Committee member?"

After receiving Greg's affirmative reply that they "would not affect him," she simply nodded and didn't spare him another glance, turning her attention back to the stack of documents in front of her.

This usual calm was actually a relief to Greg.

Since she seemed completely indifferent to what had happened that morning, Greg didn't need to exhaust himself trying to explain anything to her.

With that matter settled, it also made Vivian aware of the fact that her sister was a total tsundere.

For Greg, the current situation was practically perfect!

As expected, he hadn't done anything wrong before; that was the most correct solution!

"Aah—"

Greg obediently opened his mouth and ate the spoonful of Energy-Boosting Tonic Soup that Chloe had offered him after blowing on it to cool it down.

The taste was... a bit strange, but a warm current seemed to slide down his throat, and his fatigue dissipated slightly.

Just then, Yelena, who was sitting nearby, seemed to suddenly remember something important and abruptly stood up from her chair!

"That's right! The academy is releasing a large-scale Undead Subjugation Mission today! According to the schedule, the Student Council needs to send people to the Mission Distribution Hall to help maintain order and guide the students who are signing up for the mission!"

She hurriedly packed up the plates in front of her and Greg, speaking rapidly to him:

"Junior! You're injured right now, so keep resting well! I'll take care of your share of the work for you! Don't push yourself!"

After stacking the plates, Yelena gave Greg an encouraging smile and then hurriedly turned around, running out of the cafeteria toward the Mission Distribution Hall with quick, small steps.

"Thanks, Senior Yelena."

Greg watched Yelena's receding figure and fell into thought.

I remember this event wasn't supposed to happen until Friday, right?

Why has it been moved up?

Is this also because of the butterfly effect?

Regardless, since the event was already happening, he had to prepare to move as well.

"Finally gone, that annoying small fry."

Chloe watched Yelena's disappearing back and curled her lip. Then, a joyful smile appeared on her face as she turned her gaze completely toward Greg, her eyes sparkling.

"Now I can finally—Eh? Big Brother?"

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Greg stand up from his seat as well.

"Sorry, Chloe."

Greg stretched his shoulders. "I just remembered there's something very important I have to handle right now."

"What? Big Brother, are you leaving too?"

The joy on Chloe's face instantly collapsed, replaced by blatant disappointment and reluctance. She instinctively reached out, seemingly wanting to grab the corner of Greg's clothes, but her hand stopped mid-air.

Greg nodded, his tone gentle but carrying a firm decisiveness that brooked no argument. "Yes, it's a very urgent matter, so I must go."

Seeing the rare, solemn look in Greg's eyes, Chloe opened her mouth but ultimately chose not to act spoiled or clingy.

She put down the soup bowl and stood up as well, looking up slightly at Greg.

Her beautiful face, which usually carried an arrogant or playful expression, was now filled with pure earnestness and... total trust.

"Even though... I don't know exactly what you're doing right now, Big Brother, or what you're planning, or what you're about to face..."

Her voice was very soft, yet every word seemed to carry weight.

"But, I want you to know..."

She took a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage, and looked directly into Greg's eyes, saying word for word:

"No matter what, just like Big Sister Allie, I will always, always stand by your side! No matter what happens, no matter what decision you make, I am on your side!"

This wasn't a childish joke or blind worship.

This was a solemn promise and declaration made by a genius alchemist girl who, having vaguely sensed that Greg was carrying some unknown secret and engaging in dangerous actions, chose to commit herself.

She might not have understood everything, but she chose to believe unconditionally and stand firmly behind him.

Greg was stunned.

He looked at the unmistakable, steady light in the young girl's eyes and felt the heavy weight of her words.

He, who had always considered himself a scumbag, felt a corner of his heart being gently nudged by something.

I see...

Without realizing it, the things I'm carrying on my shoulders seem to have... increased by another one.

It's the same with Allie, and now Chloe... and Victoria, Silvia...

Good grief... In that case, don't I have to try even harder to survive properly?

Not for some grand goal, nor for hollow glory.

Simply so as not to fail these people who have placed their trust and reliance on me.

He nodded deeply toward Chloe.

The usual cynical smile was gone from his face, and there was no deliberate gentleness, only a clear and solemn sincerity.

"Yeah."

"I understand."

"Thank you, Chloe."

With that, he didn't linger. He turned and walked out of the cafeteria with steady, firm steps.

Chloe stood where she was, watching Greg's figure disappear through the cafeteria entrance.

Only after he was completely out of sight did she seem to lose all her strength, slumping softly back into her chair.

Then, she suddenly covered her instantly reddening cheeks with both hands, letting out a muffled, trembling cry from between her fingers.

"I—I said it! I actually said it!"

"Ugh..."

She buried her face even lower, only the tips of her bright red ears visible. Her small shoulders shook slightly, the very image of a young girl immersed in immense shyness and joy.

In the cafeteria, the other students who had been secretly watching the drama were now all staring in daze.

Chloe Ivy, the girl with the powerful aura who was even revered as the Destroyer Witch by the weirdos in the Department of Alchemy... actually had such an expression!?

The contrast was way too huge!

Countless boys screamed in their hearts:

The Destroyer Witch of the Department of Alchemy can't be this cute!

They must have walked into the cafeteria the wrong way today!